COURSE OUTLINE
Title:
Statistics I
Course Number: MTH 243
Credits: 4
Date: 11-05-2010
Institution:
Clackamas Community College
Outline Developed by: Bruce Simmons, Mathematics Department
Type of Program: Transfer
Course Description:
This course introduces students to descriptive statistics, observational studies, experiments,
elementary probability, random variables, and sampling distributions.
Course Objectives:
(Also indicate Library and/or electronic information resources)
The instructor will teach students the fundamentals of handling raw data: distinguishing variables
and variable types, summarizing the distribution of a variable, graphical displays of variables, and
determining whether a distribution represents a sample or a population. Then the instructor will
introduce students to the methods of data collection, observational studies and experiments, and
the problems commonly encountered in data collection. Then the instructor will introduce
students to the mathematics of probability and random variables. Finally the instructor will tie all
these threads together, showing how sample data can be collected and summarized, and show
how the laws of probability can be used to draw conclusions about an entire population from this
sample. Throughout the course students will learn how to use calculators to perform this analysis
on small data sets and spreadsheet software (such as Excel) to analyze large data sets.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Student
Learning
Outcomes:
The student should be able to:
Gen Ed.
Outcome
Utilize problem-solving techniques to engage problems without
being provided with a template
Work in groups to solve problems
Read and interpret mathematical information
Communicate mathematical information in lay-language
Use the vocabulary of statistics and probability
Determine for which applications statistics and probability are
appropriate problem-solving tools
Use technology to solve problems for which statistics or probability
are appropriate tools
Use technology to organize and present data
Understand the process of statistics
Distinguish between types of variables found in statistics
Distinguish between types of data
Obtain random samples using a variety of bias-free methods
Determine the usefulness of a data set and demonstrate an
understanding of the sources of errors in sampling
Describe the elements of a well-designed experiment
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Construct a variety of tables and graphs used to organize and
present data
Determine when data is presented in a misleading or deceptive way
Compute various summary measures describing a data set
Determine when it is more appropriate to use one descriptor of a
data set rather than some other descriptor
Describe the shape of the distribution of a data set
Use several methods to compute the probability of an event
Determine whether events are mutually exclusive or independent
Distinguish between discrete and continuous random variables
Use discrete probability distributions to solve appropriate problems
Apply the binomial probability distribution to solve problems in
appropriate situations
Define a continuous probability density function
Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between area and
probability in applications involving continuous random variables
Use uniform probability distributions to solve appropriate problems
Apply the normal probability distribution to solve problems in
appropriate situations
Standardize a normal random variable
Interpret the area under a normal curve in applications
Distinguish between the distribution of data from a population and a
sampling distribution from a population
Compute quantitative measures of a sampling distribution
Apply the central limit theorem appropriately to sampling
distributions
Apply normal distributions to discrete random variables in
appropriate situations
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Length of Course: 42 lecture hours
Grading Method: Letter grade or Pass / No Pass
Prerequisites:
Pass MTH 105 or MTH 111 with a “C” or better, or instructor consent
Required Text: Mind on Statistics by Utts and Heckard, 3rd edition, Cengage Learning, 2007. A
graphing calculator with advanced statistical features (such as the TI-84) is
required.
Major Topic Outline:
Working with Data
Raw Data, Types of Variables, Summarizing One or Two Categorical
Variables, Visual Displays of Quantitative Data, Numerical Summaries of
Quantitative Variables, Outliers and Box Plots, Standard Deviation, BellShaped Distributions and the Empirical Rule
Collecting Sample Data
Collecting and Using Sample Data Wisely, Margin of Error and Confidence
Intervals, Simple Random Samples, Other Sampling Methods, Bias and
Other Difficulties in Sampling
Experiments and Observational Studies
Distinguishing Experiments from Observational Studies, Designing a Good
Experiment, Designing a Good Observational Study, Confounding and Bias in
Experiments and Observational Studies
Probability
Random Circumstances, Interpretations of Probability, Probability Definitions
and Relationships, Basic Rules for Finding Probabilities, Strategies for
Finding Complicated Probabilities
Random Variables
Introduction to Random Variables, Displays of Discrete Random Variables,
Summarizing a Random Variable: Expected Value (Mean) and Standard
Deviation, Binomial Random Variables, Continuous Random Variables,
Normal Random Variables, Approximating a Binomial Random Variable
Using a Normal Random Variable
Sampling Distributions: Statistics as Random Variables
Parameters and Statistics, Inference about Population Parameters, Overview
of Five Types of Sampling Distributions, Sampling Distribution for One
Sample Proportion, Sampling Distribution for One Sample Mean, Central
Limit Theorem
CCC AAOT/ASOT GENERAL EDUCATION OUTCOMES
COURSE OUTLINE MAPPING CHART
Course Name and Number:
Math 243, Statistics I
Mark outcomes addressed by this course:


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Mark “C” if this course completely addresses the outcome. Students who successfully complete this course are likely to have
attained this learning outcome.
Mark “S” if this course substantially addresses the outcome. More than one course is required for the outcome to be
completely addressed. Students who successfully complete all of the required courses are likely to have attained this
learning outcome.
Mark “P” if this course partially addresses the outcome. Students will have been exposed to the outcome as part of the
class, but the class is not a primary means for attaining the outcome and assessment for general education purposes may
not be necessary.
As a result of completing the AAOT /ASOT general education requirements, students will be able to:
WR: Writing Outcomes
1. Read actively, think critically, and write purposefully and capably for academic and, in some
cases, professional audiences.
2. Locate, evaluate, and ethically utilize information to communicate effectively.
3. Demonstrate appropriate reasoning in response to complex issues.
SP: Speech/Oral Communication Outcomes
1. Engage in ethical communication processes that accomplish goals.
2. Respond to the needs of diverse audiences and contexts.
3. Build and manage relationships.
MA: Mathematics Outcomes
1. Use appropriate mathematics to solve problems.
2. Recognize which mathematical concepts are applicable to a scenario, apply appropriate
mathematics and technology in its analysis, and then accurately interpret, validate, and
communicate the results.
AL: Arts and Letters Outcomes i
1. Interpret and engage in the Arts & Letters, making use of the creative process to enrich the
quality of
life.
2. Critically analyze values and ethics within a range of human experience and expression to
engage
more fully in local and global issues.
SS: Social Science Outcomes
1. Apply analytical skills to social phenomena in order to understand human behavior.
2. Apply knowledge and experience to foster personal growth and better appreciate the diverse
social
world in which we live.
SC: Science or Computer Science Outcomes
1. Gather, comprehend, and communicate scientific and technical information in order to explore
ideas, models, and solutions and generate further questions.
2. Apply scientific and technical modes of inquiry, individually, and collaboratively, to critically
evaluate existing or alternative explanations, solve problems, and make evidence-based
decisions
in an ethical manner.
3. Assess the strengths and weaknesses of scientific studies and critically examine the influence of
scientific and technical knowledge on human society and the environment.
CL: Cultural Literacy Outcomeii
1. Identify and analyze complex practices, values, and beliefs and the culturally and historically
defined meanings of difference.
IL: Information Literacy Outcomesiii
1. Formulate a problem statement.
2. Determine the nature and extent of the information needed to address the problem.
3. Access relevant information effectively and efficiently.
4. Evaluate information and its course critically.
5. Understand many of the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information.
C
C
“Arts and Letters” refers to works of art, whether written, crafted, designed, or performed and documents of historical or cultural
significance.
i
ii
iii
Must be embedded in a course that meets the outcomes for Arts and Letters, Social Science, or Science/Computer Science.
Must be embedded in the general education required Writing courses Revised 2010-2011 to reflect Statewide AAOT outcomes